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r <br /> I . • <br /> Inter-OMcc Memorandum <br /> TO Regional/Divisional Safety Officers cc: QA/H i 6 Staff <br /> L <br /> FROM George K. Crawford � DATE 2 August 1988 <br /> PROJECT U O NO <br />' SIBJECT Benzene Action Level Guideline <br /> ACTION <br /> As many of you are aware rulings by OSHA have resulted in a. <br /> decrease in the Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) for Benzene to <br /> 1 . 0 ppm. This ruling has resulted in a need to establish action <br /> level for job sites/activities where benzene may be listed as a <br /> constituent of the contamination suspected. These activities <br /> would include but not necessarily be limited to gasoline spill <br /> response, tank excavations, and drilling activities where <br /> gasoline or petroleum constituents are encountered. <br /> BENZENE ACTION LEVEL GUIDELINE <br /> 1) Monitor Braa_thina ,p= contaminant concentrations with <br /> Direct Reading instruments sensitive to aromatic compounds <br /> (eg. OVA $ H U) . <br /> 2) If readings reach 1 to 5 units above background then Level <br /> C protection will be required. <br /> 3 when 5 units above background are reached with <br /> direct-roading instrumentation then levels must be <br /> monitored with colorimetric tube indicators sensitive to <br /> 0.5 ppm Benzene. <br /> 4) If colorimetric tube readings indicate less than 1 . 0 ppm <br /> then Level C operations can continue. periodic <br /> surveillance with the colorimetric indicators should <br /> continue . <br /> 5)5) If colorimetric tube readings indicate 1. 0 ppm benzene or <br /> greater for two (Z) successive readings taken 10 minutes <br /> apart then Level B protection must be effected. <br /> Note : Irrespective of colorimetric tube indications Level s <br /> protection will be initiated should direct reading instrument <br /> concentrations reach 500 units above background during gasoline <br /> cle&n- unp nn thnk a r-&vAt inn& <br />